Trip Planning

The latest update has a good feature - the Research tab. Pick your stop and you can select a number of points of interest around the stop. Fuel, groceries, restaurants etc. Just for kicks select "Department Stores" and see how many dollar stores there are.

Ken,

I had a typo in previous post. Aerial view is only available when on line. Road view can be used off line if maps are downloaded.

By the way, I agree with your earlier post about Mapsource being much easier to use than Base Camp. I was able to install in on my Windows 10 computer so I can still use it. If you still have an installation disk, give it a try.

Chris

cross21114 wrote:
If you have Windows 10, there is a good mapping program called "Maps". Look in Microsoft. Not much instructional information available (that I've found). More I use it the more I like it. You can download maps to use when not on line, although when on line, only the road view is available.
I also use 2 standalone Garmins. In addition to being able to use when not in cell range, they have tons more capability than any phone based system.

Thanks
I did not know that that was there. It's pretty fast too.

KEN

If you have Windows 10, there is a good mapping program called "Maps". Look in Microsoft. Not much instructional information available (that I've found). More I use it the more I like it. You can download maps to use when not on line, although when on line, only the road view is available.
I also use 2 standalone Garmins. In addition to being able to use when not in cell range, they have tons more capability than any phone based system.

luv2gowalkabout nailed it. I have the Rand McNally Truckers atlas too. Always bring it with me when traveling. That's a good point to bring up. Always carry a map or atlas. If you are without service whether it be a Garmin or similar type navigation unit glitch or no cell service, you have something to navigate with.

Steve, I have many tools in my tool box for trips. I always start with trip wizard. I find it is worth the money and gives me great information for mileage, campgrounds, and routes during the planning stage. It does not have everything but their routing has improved. Once the trip is basically planned,I use google, and various books and apps. Google doesn't do low clearance and route preferences are for automobiles. I find it is a must to have my truckers road atlas book for low clearances, Next Exit for gas and food on interstates, RVPark reviews for CG information and gas buddy for diesel fuel.
Hope that helps

That's good to know rr2254545. Every tutorial I've seen used Base Camp. I'm going to give that a try and see how that works out. Thanks for the tip!

Edit: I was able to save an Excel spreadsheet from RV Trip wizard and then get that uploaded to the Garmin 760LMT but not a GPX file. Then within the Garmin itself it shows a "Custom POI". Whether or not that works I won't know for a couple more weeks when I go on a short trip across NY State. If it does, then I will use the Garmin on long trips and have Google Maps as a backup....Just in case.

RobWNY wrote:
No,there are times that a stand alone GPS would be beneficial because I don't believe google maps works fully when there's no cell service. Like real time traffic and accident locations. You need cell service to get that stuff. You can transfer the RV Trip Wizard file to a GPS unit but I can't get it to work. I have a Garmin so the protocol is to use Base Camp. It's not a user friendly program. Some people say they have no problem using it so it could just be that I have difficulty. I suppose I could manually enter everything into my Garmin but that's a lot of work if it's a long trip you're planning. Checking fuel locations for access is going to depend on the size of your RV. Obviously the bigger the RV, the more room you need to maneuver. I have a 34' 5th wheel so I need a decent amount of maneuverability and height clearance where a truck camper or class B won't have those concerns. Nothing is going to be fool proof. I found what works for me while others use different methods and find that works for them.

Note first you have to transfer the Trip Wizard file to your computer then using Garmin "POI loader" transfer it to your Garmin - it is a really easy process - and yes it does work - it does not have to load using Base Camp

I believe the more tool at hand, the better. I have the Garmin RV660. It's pretty good. Using it in areas I already know, I do know better, shorter ways to get to the same place.
Our Ram truck's gps is worse. Google map on the phone when there is coverage is the best. I don't depend on any one of them. Just use them and look at the road signs.
Using a paper map for longer trips is easier to see the big picture. Then use the GPS or Google to fine-tune the trip.

The old Garmin map programs were great. Plot the trip in the program and then plug it into the gps. I would break the trip down by leg or day and use the GPS that way. Basecamp suck compared to the old mapsource program.

No,there are times that a stand alone GPS would be beneficial because I don't believe google maps works fully when there's no cell service. Like real time traffic and accident locations. You need cell service to get that stuff. You can transfer the RV Trip Wizard file to a GPS unit but I can't get it to work. I have a Garmin so the protocol is to use Base Camp. It's not a user friendly program. Some people say they have no problem using it so it could just be that I have difficulty. I suppose I could manually enter everything into my Garmin but that's a lot of work if it's a long trip you're planning. Checking fuel locations for access is going to depend on the size of your RV. Obviously the bigger the RV, the more room you need to maneuver. I have a 34' 5th wheel so I need a decent amount of maneuverability and height clearance where a truck camper or class B won't have those concerns. Nothing is going to be fool proof. I found what works for me while others use different methods and find that works for them.